World Series Game 1 notebook (second version): Who’s Kyle Snyder?

Thursday

Oct 25, 2007 at 12:01 AMOct 25, 2007 at 10:01 AM

Game 1 notes. UPDATED with Snyder quotes.

Art Davidson

When it was determined that Tim Wakefield wouldn't be able to pitch in the World Series it created an opening for a player who wasn't on Boston's roster in the American League Championship Series. Red Sox manager Terry Francona made the rather surprising announcement yesterday that Kyle Snyder would be added to the club's active roster.
It has been speculated that Julian Tavarez would be the likely pitcher to replace Wakefield. Francona said he also considered adding Bryan Corey to the roster.
"We examined every scenario possible before we made our decision, including the possibility of someone getting hurt, what the weather might be and other factors," said Francona. "A lot of thought went into our decision, and we ended up doing what we thought would be best for our ballclub."
Snyder would likely be used in long relief if one of Boston's starters ran into early problems. That was the role Jon Lester had in the ALCS, but he's been moved into the starting rotation.
The Red Sox still haven't officially announced who their starting pitcher will be in the fourth game Sunday night in Denver, but it's slated to be Lester.
"Unless something totally unexpected happens, Lester will start the fourth game," said Francona.
Wakefield would have pitched tonight's second game, but the Red Sox never considered giving that start to Lester. Curt Schilling will pitch tonight and Daisuke Matsuzaka will be Boston's starter in Saturday night's third game at Coors Field.

"The reason why we were going to start Wakefield in Games 2 and 6 is because we didn't want him to pitch in Denver," admitted Francona. "Why would we start (Lester) in the second game? We want (Josh) Beckett and Schilling to each pitch two games."

"I was extremely excited," said Snyder. "I didn't see it coming. I was under the assumption that I was going to come in and root the team on from start to finish. I would have been just as happy to be part of that club as I am in that bullpen. Under the circumstances, I'd have to say I'm a little bit more excited to be part of the team now that I'm on the active roster with the potential to help this team out."

Snyder said he left the ballpark around 3 on Tuesday afternoon and turned his phone off. A call came for him around 4, but he didn't check his messages until 4:30. He saw there was a message from pitching coach John Farrell and he immediately returned the call.

"He put Tito on the phone and he told me I was on the World Series roster. That was as exciting a phone call as I've ever received in this game. It was like the first time I've ever gotten called to the big leagues."

Lineup Tweaked
The Red Sox started the same everyday players they did in the final two games of the ALCS, but the batting order was slightly different last night. Jason Varitek and J.D. Drew switched places. Varitek batted sixth and Drew was dropped to seventh. In addition, Julio Lugo was moved into the eighth spot and Jacoby Ellsbury was switched to the ninth position.
Francona said altered the lineup to get a better mix of right-handed and left-handed hitters.
Varitek is a switch hitter, Drew bats left-handed, Lugo bats right-handed and Ellsbury hits from the left side.
"With (Jeff) Francis pitching and Ellsbury playing, and they have three left-handers in the bullpen, we didn't want to make it easier on them than we need to," said Francona. "If we do get to the bullpen they won't have an inning where a lefty can fly through three guys in a row."
Injury Report
Coco Crisp wasn't going to be in the lineup, but it was questionable whether he could have started in center field. Crisp hurt his knee while making a spectacular game-ending catch in Boston's victory over Cleveland on Sunday night in the seventh game of the ALCS.
Crisp was going to test his knee in the outfield prior to the game.
It had been rumored that David Ortiz might receive a cortisone shot for his ailing knee prior to the start of the World Series. Ortiz was given a cortisone shot last month. Francona said that Ortiz wasn't given a shot either Tuesday or yesterday.
Francona is getting support from other members of the Boston sports community. He's received two e-mails during the postseason from Patriots coach Bill Bellichick.
Celtics coach Doc Rivers sent Francona a text message when the club was in Cleveland during the AACS.
"That was very heartfelt," said Francona.
Boston College athletic director Gene DeFilippo also called to offer support.
Etc.
Officials of the Hall of Fame and commissioner Bud Selig announced the establishment of the Buck O'Neill Lifetime Achievement Award. O'Neill, who died last year at age 94, is the first recipient. The award will be given out only once every three years. … In a special election held for former Negro League players in 2006, O'Neill missed being elected by one vote. ... Red Sox Hall-of-Famer Carl Yastrzemski threw out the first pitch. The National Anthem was performed by the Boston Pops under the direction of John Williams.
Art Davidson is a Daily News staff writer. He can be reached at 508-626-4403 or adavidson@cnc.com.

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.

Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted.
Waynesboro Record Herald - Waynesboro, PA ~ 30 Walnut St. Waynesboro, PA 17268 ~ Privacy Policy ~ Terms Of Service